Can A Catholic Marry A Protestant

I am of a the Protestant religion and my girlfriend is of the Catholic religion. What does the bible say about marrying someone of another faith? What kinds of things would I need to do to make things work out right?

Moderator - You would be unequally yoked and it is against the scriptures. Read all the posts here of people wanted to divorce their mates.

My girlfriend is protestant, and I am Catholic. When we met we didn't focus on religion other than telling each other that we believed in Jesus Christ. As we became more involved, we opened up and expressed our faith. We have grown apart and a breakup seems inevitable. It's really sad because she's perfect in every way to me and I believe she feels the same about me. Isn't it funny / ironic how Christianity is actually separating us, rather than bringing us closer together. I even started questioning my faith. How could a loving God allow two people who are made for each other, become broken up due to a different christian belief. I guess it's God's will. One that I may never understand.

Mark:-The saying 'give a man enough rope and he will hang himself'. It's TRUE,Mark says "You are right the accusations against Catholics are NOT TRUE,yet what I call Garbage is Garbage" WEll Mark you did it again ,B/c Jesus said "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles BUT WHAT COMES OUT"-you say Garbage!!! Jesus was right.Then again you claim that you are bringing True Catholicism to the poor deluded.Using GOD's words in JN6 about the bread of Life.And then beating a dead horse about idols worshiping.Mark the idols of today are different for the Catholics/christians of today.I dont ned to enumerate them You sure are on a path to destruction.Is this what you want?

Mic, while you are right in that many of the accusations against Catholics is not true, but made up through the years by many who are not aquainted with the RCC teachings and speak without really knowing, much of what I call garbage is garbage. The RCC has a Mass. Where they claim Christ real flesh is eaten. Where bread turns to the flesh of Christ or Christ changes His nature to bread. No such thing is literally biblical. Goes against Scripture just as Idol worship. Second, the first clue of a church going bad, is when they permit the worship of Idols. No matter how much you and others want to call it not worship but intercession, it does not change the hearts of many who are Catholic and are expecting something from that saint who is dead.

Mic, 2: Third, the RCC had made a mess of the doctrines of Scripture that Protestors, "Protestants" sincere Catholics wanted to redirect their brothers away from traditions of men and to lead them back to the pure truths of the Word. Now many of the same Protestant churches have come to hold hands again with the RCC concerning salvation by works. The reasom many Protestants live happy with a RCC partner in marriage. No true Protestant would ever conform to the teaching of the RCC no matter what denomination he is from. When we repent of our sins, trusting only in Jesus, we receive the gift of salvation, the Father forgives us, and transform our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit and gives us power to obey.

the anabaptists also promoted polygamie, yet all this was far away from the general reformed thinking.if however you want to see how reformed concider marriage, a good work is given by the WESTMINSTER confession of faith.PS. the letter of Martin Luther was hardly a paper that anny catholic should say amen upon, however this is a case where the cettle tells the pot he is burned. catholics who say that we conveniently accept and reject whatever fits in our own ideas shout all of the sudden Hallelujah when martin luther gives a verry uncatholic dooctrine. since these words fit in their shop

wondering why a PRIEST would ask your Husband to kiss His ring, Priests do not wear rings,for religious purposes of office. People who are Born into other denominations acquire these false impressions and do not investigate but Just carry the word from mouth to mouth.To be really educated in such matters one must seek to know the truth.---MIC

Good point! You are nicer than I.I dare say a Priest didn't make this request. No ring as you state.Even Bishops wouldn't force someone to kiss his ring. Esp not for PARDON!Confession is used for Pardon from JESUS.No kissing going on in confession boost as well.

Many love to PASS on the stranges impressions. Esp if it's not about themselves about about SOMEONE ELSE.

Anne:-I do not mean to contest the verasity of your statement But just curious, I have been a Catholic for all of my 84 years. and was wondering why a PRIEST would ask your Husband to kiss His ring,now if you said Bishop That would be different as a Bishop is a representative of the Pope in His Diocese.This is a custom which was from the early ages.Priests do not wear rings,for religious purposes of office.People who are Born into other denominations acquire these false impressions and do not investigate but Just carry the word from mouth to mouth.To be really educated in such matters one must seek to know the truth.

Alan~ Yes, you're correct. I am married to a former Catholic and it works out fine, because he sees through the phony things going on there. Once a priest asked my husband to kiss his ring to receive pardon, and especially then my husband knew the rediculousness of that statement. But no, I would be unhappy married to a devoted Catholic, and I think the moderator made a good statement concerning that issue, even though I don't believe divorce is the solution.

Talk to your girlfriend about her faith and share yours with her. Discuss the differences in theology. You might even go and visit pastors from each faith background and get some solid facts. The Bible does talk about interfaith marriages, which were forbidden by God between the Israelites and people of other lands for obvious reasons. I know a variety of couples who are not of the same faith and they are happily married and have great respect for the other's beliefs.

---MIC I know you consider yourself a devout Catholic. It is because of this than I would like to recommend to you the following web site,"Contender ministries" which was written by a once very devout Catholic.

The moderator says it clearly, the Catholic faith and Protestant is very different and you'll be unequally yoked. I have heard the Catholics believe they get 'born-again' at 'infant baptism'. Now that is completely unequally yoked with many of the Protestants who believe entirely differently. There are too many differences between Catholics and Protestants in order for them to have anything in common. It seems to me that many mainstream Protestants are very 'Catholic' in nature such as Lutherans though.

Mark:- Nothing is gained by Flinging words back and forth at each other.The only reason I respond is b/c you make False statements against Jesus, His Holy Mother and the teachings of the CHURCH, supported by the Holy Spirit which Jesus NOMINATED.These are facts which no body can refute like Matt16:13-19.Jesus established His doctrine and asked us to Follow Him.Not to doctor His doctrine.You see even in your reply you cannot be truthful.The Mass, readings of Holy scripture and all its services are about JESUS and 'you' call it Garbage.IS that not a lie? How often do you pray the Lords prayer but you call it Vile repetition.REPENT Mark you cannot Bluff GOD.

Mic, I have been answering you for a long time and it never surprises me what you will say and whom you bring in as your ally. When you run out of things to make up, you throw him in with your answers as Nana has done many times. It almost always comes from people who are RCC. I have apostasize from your denomination. I use to believe all the garbage they use to teach. What really had me bound to your church was the Idol worship. Jesus was hardly even mentioned and their love for Christ is almost none existent. They had substituted Him with all the saint's that today He gets little attention, and few prayers since others are your mediators, that is the reason I left. Praise be to God and the Spirit who took me out of that denomination.

I cannot agree more with the moderator. It is your Christian duty not only to avoid the apostacy of a mixed marriage, but to claim for Christ the soul of one you proclaim to love. You owe it to her to show her the error of her ways. It should be obvious to you that the love and tenderness you feel toward her, that feeling of comfort, that connection, is an illusion. This is the work of the devil himself and his emmisary on earth, the Pope. Save yourself and save her if you can.

"Jordan, Without comment I will just say my father was Catholic,my mother Protestant. they were married for 63 years.In our home it was never an issue! ---1st_cliff on1/22/06 "

Points:having the same faiththat you love one another as IFollow peace with all men, and holiness1Cor13:2: And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Mercy is Love in action. 1Peter4:8: And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

"Just as I may eat, drink, sleep, walk, ride with, buy from, speak to, and deal with a heathen, Jew, Turk, or heretic, so I may also marry and continue in wedlock with him. Pay no attention to the precepts of those fools who forbid it. You will find plenty of Christiansand indeed the greater part of themwho are worse in their secret unbelief than any Jew, heathen, Turk, or heretic. A heathen is just as much a man or a womanGod's good creationas St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Lucy, not to speak of a slack and spurious Christian."Martin Luther ---Nana on 4/7/09

"Just as I may eat, drink, sleep, walk, ride with, buy from, speak to, and deal with a heathen, Jew, Turk, or heretic, so I may also marry and continue in wedlock with him. Pay no attention to the precepts of those fools who forbid it. You will find plenty of Christiansand indeed the greater part of themwho are worse in their secret unbelief than any Jew, heathen, Turk, or heretic. A heathen is just as much a man or a womanGod's good creationas St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Lucy, not to speak of a slack and spurious Christian."Martin Luther

---MIC I would like say a prayer for you.Father I asked you in the name of Jesus to send your spirit to witness to---MIC's spirit that he might come to a saving knowledge of The Lord Jesus Christ. I ask you to bless---MIC!!!

Mic YOUR ANSWER, "I live in him who lives in Me" Jn6:56.Apostacising from Jesus's church is the way that you choose.You are even worse than satan b/c you deny Gods ability,to perform the impossible. satan acknowledges... You say in the next blogLove does not exist in the Word of love but by ones actions and yours is explosive...You may rain all your venom but until you agree to Follow God HIS WAY. and then you wonder why people ghet defensive? and yes my LOVE IS EXPLOSIVE,

Mark :-This is a case of you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.No thank you.You apostated not I.You resort to calling for asistance by introducing Your allay.You see it is you who introduce Satan into the conversation with venom and guile and then accuse me, as before but, by their fruits You shall know them Thus says the Lord.The spiritual guidance is for you who Your God whom you denigrate, as a piece of bread.May God forgive you a once fallen catholic but still affiliated by Baptism.I hope you find a true humility along the way.B/c if you truly love God you will find a way to extricate yourself from the mess you have got yourself into.Matt16:13-19 is His antidote for snake bite.

Mic, I know you cannot help yourself when you answer a child of God. You have to bring your ally, Satan, into the conversations so that he can have room in people's lives. Mic. Scripture tells us about people who work for the devil this way, "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your fathers desires." John 8:44. You show evidence of that person since you love to use him in your conversations. You need a spiritual awakening so that you can work for God.

Andy:- Thanks for showing us your other side which up till now was only Known to God.Wow you are ready to burst a gut.Love does not exist in the Word of love but by ones actions and yours is explosive.However this does not upset me but God's truth sure got you riled,I wonder why.Was it Jn6 or Matt4 Jesus temptation.You may rain all your venom but until you agree to Follow God HIS WAY then only will He Hear you .Surely it was not my joining you up with Mark who apostated and you still have not said what denom you are affiliated to.Any way Peace and I hope you are feeling Better.

MIC, worse then the devil? let ME TELL YOU THE truth, anyone with an attitude like this, wether RCC or PRT or PC or whatever C he can be is ANATHEMA, may every word return to you, may you stand convicted and may Christ lead you out of this violant darkness of pure hate that surrounds you. this kind() is willing to murder and destroy in the name of Jesus, and this kind () is as good as OSSAMMA BIN LADEN. Jesus said love your enemies. you who are from the "only true church" does have much problems to love yet others who are "HERETICS" obey Jesus. let our works show if Christ is living in our hearts

Mark:- It is not my implication, but your deduction or 'your' interpretation of THE word of God -Jesus was God JN6:41. I believe with all my heart and soul that Jesus is present in that wafer and gives Himself to us to fulfil His word "I live in him who lives in Me" Jn6:56.Apostacising from Jesus's church is the way that you choose.You are even worse than satan b/c you deny Gods ability,to perform the impossible. satan acknowledges "if you want you can turn these stones into Bread" Matt4:3-4.You santimoniouly talk about Jesus words but do not act on it.You offend God and need to change.YOU alone have to do this.

Mic, you have to admit by what you believe, that you have Jesus turning into a piece of bread. Implying that Jesus not only is 100% human and 100% God, but is 100% bread, by changing His nature. In the process you change the Trinity. And I didn't even mention the wine turning to Jesus Blood. Or Jesus blood turning to wine. You imply the bread having power to change into Christ Himself. Bread with power. I am sure you cannot answer how that is posible.

Anne: Reading some of the posts here I would say the Moderator is close to right but not entirely.the 2 in one flesh depends on the tenacity to adhere to gods law.and there are some who find that TRUE love always wins out.I hope my reply was as gracious as it was also true.

Mark:-I think i could venture a reason for your apostacising.You give a glimpse of it in this last post of Yours. "The bread from Heaven", Puzzles you to no end,just like those in John6,27 then readV41-48You go one step Further and are encouraged by Andy bringing to mind the script"The blind shall lead the blind and BOTH will fall in the DITCH"

The bread is an 'Accident'. Like softness, warm, cold, gentle, hard. These things are describing something, they don't hold anything on it's own nature.Our eyes only see a piece of bread.As we only feel cold not see cold.Can you see radiation?

Just because you can't see Jesus in the Host and Wine, doesn't mean Jesus is lying when He spoke in John 6.

Remember, before you laugh at us, the Muslims think Christians are crazy for saying that God took our human form and claim to be God still.

Andy, you are correct in reading what John wrote. He says only his church, they only drink the blood and eat Jesus. So in other words if you want to be save you have to do what their leaders told them to do. They forget or just ignore, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father yet they can eat Him every Sunday. So He dies many deaths each Sunday, and some even have the bread turning into Jesus, not just Jesus turning into the bread. The bread has power to change itself and so does the blood. They take a passage and do what the early church false teachers did, Change the nature of Christ. Jesus incarnated to a human, then to a piece of bread. What a religion.

Jordan:-Being unequally Yoked is surely an added impediment.which must be ironed out by both parties.Marriage is an institution in which both take on the countenance of God.as they become one flesh.Genesis 2:24-25,so if one is to walk in the way of the lord.WE must OBEY.This means all his statutes.This is done by intimate conversation , living and the desire to abide in each other at all times disregarding ones own will and inclination in all things.Concrete agreements must be attained before the wedding, concerning children, duties to each other sharing of responsibilities,so as to ensure a smooth running of the institution.keeping God as the foremost desire to bless the union.

John you teach only catholics can be saved, the exact reason why all the rest of christianity calls the RCC nothing but a CULT. by the way the COPTIC, ORTHODOX and other oriental churches do have a same vision on Holy supper as RCC, so you will not be alone in heaven afterall:-(

To everyone else, Johns answer is exactly why we should never sell our soul to the devil giving up our salvation.

Yes! I married a Protestant woman in the Catholic Church. Shes becoming Catholic this vigil Mass. She thought she would convert me Protestant. God Is Awesome! Read the Gospel of John, John 6, 47-69. To get to Heaven we must eat His body and drink His blood. We do this in remembrance, but it is no symbol. There is one Church where you can eat and drink the true presence of Jesus, the Catholic Church. We believe that Jesus taught this, it is Truth. Do research into the history of reformation. Youll find that it broke from the Catholic Church. Lucifer divided us and took form protestants The Holy Eucharist Its time to heal the Church. Peace, John Foytik

Jordon, it seems your girlfriend isn't too deep into her faith.Because if she was, she could answer all your questions.Frances is correct.Your children would be raised Catholics.But, your marriage also is different.No birth control.And some weeks of dietary rules during Lent.No meat on Fridays.

But, by your question, you mostly likely don't have to worry about this.If you are a stronger Psrotestant and she is a weak Catholic, you will most likely have a Protestant household.

"You would be unequally yoked" actually is referring to Christians and pagans/idol-worshipers. We went over this in my Catholic Theology courses, in discussions of how protestants misunderstand Catholicism.

What Catholics say is that if you marry outside the Catholic Church the Catholic is not married officially (unless a priest blessed it). They recognize nonCatholics' marriages, but not Catholics who have a service by a nonCatholic. Then, at the birth of their children, they ask you whether you married in the Catholic Church. This is to make you get married again if you want your baby baptized. Then, when the baby is baptized they make you swear to bring it up Catholic. Of course if you lied about your marriage service, and had the baby made a Catholic, and suddenly realized things that you did not know when you made the promise, you would officially be freed from that promise as it was taken whilst you did not have all the facts.

The unyolking applies to Christians and other religions like Muslims, etc. Catholics are Christians and I see no big deal for Protestants to marry Catholics. ---A_Catholic on 1/30/06

I agree with this --unequally yolked as in non christians or people of other faiths ie. budists, muslims, etc...Also i just married a Catholic over four years ago and they do not make you sign anything that says your children have to be raised catholic. Our son was raised in my Protostant church. We also got married in my Prot. church. and its still recognized by the RCC.

This is a very serious question because your children would have to be brought up Catholic, according to Catholic people's viewpoint. So you are virtually making it impossible for those children (if they are forthcoming) to make their own decision. On the other hand a protestant partner does not insist on anything and so those kids are virtually kidnapped by Satan. In Scripture we are told the man is the head of the house. The RCC church obviously says the Catholic is the head of the house in mixed marriages, concerning the children's upbringing. I would see how willing she is to give up her faith. This could be proven by her not attending mass in the future, and attending only your church.

Colin, that is what happens when two people are not of the same faith and they get married. I attended a baptism in a Catholic church this past Sunday in San Benito Texas, out of respect for the family that I know. The priest made it clear the confirmation for the child at age 16 was for the Catholic Church. Converting to the RCC is not converting to Christ. One can convert to any religion, but a true conversion is when someone puts their faith and trust in Christ. Colleen suggested that because an athiest converted to Catholicism he became a saint, and there is no way anyone can know if he was saved or not. Only the Lord knows the heart of a person. When you are a Catholic you are in bondage to the Church, by their rules and traditions.

I am a Northern Irish protestant who married a catholic. We agreed before the marriage to raise children in the protestant faith. everything was fine. My wife found it hard to accept our daughter because of her faith. Her family interfered, putting pressure on her. Her mother said she would cut her off if she continued taking our daughter to church. A lot of nasty comments have been made about our daughter. I believe my wife puts her own family before us. This has all caused problems in our relationship. My wife went through a drinking problem and made our lives hell. Things are better now but it was a fight. So make sure your families are OK about your marriage. Remember what ever you agree. Marriage will be hard at times. Trust in God.

Imperative before choosing to be in a relationship is finding the right person. The Bible tells us not to become unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-15), and warns us to keep company with those who have good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). A man should look for a woman who not only claims to be a Christian, but who also gives evidence of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Two Christians are never unequally yoked. Both have Christ. Scripture tells us that even a non-Christian spouse recieves graces and blessings BECAUSE of a Christian spouse.

You and your fiance of are of the SAME faith, Christ.

The Catholic church welcomes unions of Catholics to non-Catholic Christians but usually insists that any children be raised in the Catholic faith, which is something you and your future spouse should already have decided.

i was raised far right fundamentalist/pentacostal, it all came to an abrupt end when I was 16. My first wife 'became' pentacostal after 5 years of marrage, when I was 28. We divorced, but they do not believe in divorce, claimed I MUST convert, divorce not on option, or her life would be ruined, as she could not marry again. I had to moved 50 miles, to escape an-all-hours-of-the-day/night harassment nightmare. Thankfully, no children involved, nor have they found me.

I was raised Protestant, baptized morman, and was rebaptized Pentcostal..My husband was morman, all his family was, I did try but I wasn't what they expected me to be..It caused problems in his family, but not is ours, we will be together 39 years in July.. mary4964

I am catholic and my fiance (derek) is converting. We had a long talk with my priest. He told us that if derek decides not to convert, that is fine. We can still be married and in the catholic church. The only rules are, the ceremony will not have communion and we both must agree to raise our children catholic. The catholic church has no problem with it and that is from my priest. He mentioned an atheist man who married a catholic and after his wife died he converted to catholicism and became a saint.

I have a number of relatives who married Protestants and have enjoyed long and successful marriages. But you both need to discuss the religious issues first and I strongly recommend a Marriage Preparation Course. Catholic marriages require such a course before getting married. Remember that you will likely have children (all my relatives did) and this is when your pasts will come back to haunt you unless you are prepared. Even if either of you think that it doesn't matter now, it will.

Mixed Marriages----Married the daughters of men, they were profane, and strangers to GOD and godliness. 1-Chosed only by the eye. 2-Corrupt Affections made. 3-Strange wives,,,were unequally yoked with unbelivers. [The Sons of God. [that is, the professors of religion]. [Gen. 6,1.]

** I am Catholic and my wife is protestant. We are both Christians, and that's what's most important. I cannot believe the way people look at this - stating that you shouldn't marry someone of a "different faith". **

It's not for me to look into your hearts. The only reason to marry ANYONE is in obedience to God.

If you both feel that marriage to each other will bring you closer to Christ, that's YOUR concern.

I am Catholic and my wife is protestant. We are both Christians, and that's what's most important. I cannot believe the way people look at this - stating that you shouldn't marry someone of a "different faith". Since when have we bound ourselves to bitter worldly differences, and not united ourselves in love for Christ? The worldly thoughts of humans can be bitter, when we quibble over small things, and focus so little on Christ.

What is a Catholic? What is a Protestant? All of us christians have one mediator between God and man, and that is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You must listen through the internet to Bernarda Fernandez testimony, It will change the way you think, forever. It did me.

Whose to say two protestant/evangelical christians aren't going to be divided over issues within marriage and in their underdstanding of scripture? If two christians - catholic and protestant know and worship the same Lord and seek him together then marriage can work.Man put the restrictions in place between the two denominations not God.

I am a Protestant and my husband of 8 years is Catholic. It has not been a major issue. There are times that we agree to disagree. I am in Sunday school while he is at Mass. He comes to my church after morning mass for church service with me. I occasionally go to his for special events. There is one other couple in my church doing the same thing (the wife is Catholic).

If you both genuinely love The Lord Jesus Christ & honour the Word(s) of God, try visiting a scriptural nondenomination, interdenomination, or charismatic church so you'll be on the same scriptural grounds, avoiding invetable conflicts, etc. Some in similiar situations left christianity altogether to stay together! Most of all, PRAY!

I know many Catholic/Protestant marriage mixes that have stood the test of time, both partners being equally devout. I also know some that have not. I also know many Protestant/Protestant and same faith marriages that have also not withstood the test of time. Much depends on the strength of the partners, and how determined they are to see their commitment work.

The Bible teaches to guard your heart(your affections) because it affects the rest of your life. If your question is serious, you are standing at a crossroads in your life. May I caution you to be careful? May I speak plainly to you? Many years ago I gave my son the same advice I'm giving you, which is do not marry a Catholic girl. Today, some 23 years later he appreciates that advice.

If you're not much of a Protestant and she's not much of a Catholic maybe you will get by. Why not win her over? If you can't win her now you probably won't win her later. You will be asked to agree for the Catholic Church to baptize your children into it? How about when your wife prays to Mary and starts kissing beads? Are you ok with that for your life and your kids? Catholic school?Talk it all over with her.